From March 6 to 8, 2025, the 10th Congress of the World Society of Lingual Orthodontics (WSLO) was held in Rome, Italy. Under the theme “Invisible in Form, Precise in Quality,” the event provided a global platform for academic exchange and technological innovation for lingual orthodontists around the world.
Established in 2004, WSLO is the most authoritative organization in lingual orthodontics, dedicated to advancing research, clinical practice, and international collaboration. It aims to establish global treatment standards and cultivate next-generation specialists.
Image: Dr. Xu Baohua delivering his presidential address at the WSLO Congress
Historic Election of Dr. Xu Baohua
On March 8, Dr. Xu Baohua from China made history by becoming the first Chinese president-elect of WSLO. In his acceptance speech, Dr. Xu emphasized: “This honor belongs not only to me but also marks a significant leap forward for Chinese orthodontics on the world stage.”
Currently serving as Director of Oral Medicine Department at the China-Japan Friendship Hospital and Director of the Pediatric Dentofacial Deformity Early Intervention Center, Dr. Xu pioneered lingual orthodontics in China since 1996.
With over 30 years of orthodontic practice, Dr. Xu Baohua has treated more than 30,000 patients, accumulating profound clinical expertise and producing groundbreaking academic achievements. In 1993, he pioneered early orthodontic treatment for pediatric skeletal malocclusions in China and was the first to adopt advanced devices such as headgear-activators, Herbst appliances, and anterior traction devices in clinical practice. Dr. Xu has been honored with multiple “National Top Ten Physicians” awards, cementing his status as a trailblazer in Chinese orthodontics.
While making seminal academic contributions, Dr. Xu has simultaneously shaped professional development through multifaceted educational leadership as Chief Physician, Professor, and Doctoral/Postdoctoral Supervisor across China’s premier medical institutions—Peking University, Peking Union Medical College, and Capital Medical University. His international recognition is further evidenced by his fellowships in the International College of Dentists and the Royal College of Surgeons of Edinburgh. Through three decades of dedicated mentorship, Professor Xu Baohua has cultivated an exceptional cohort advancing China’s orthodontic capabilities.
China’s Lingual Orthodontics Advances Rapidly: Beijing to Host WSLO World Congress Dentofacial deformities, classified by the World Health Organization as one of three major oral health disorders, are experiencing rapid growth in treatment demand across China, driven by rising living standards and heightened health awareness.
Due to China’s distinctive craniofacial characteristics, there is a higher prevalence of convex facial profiles and orthodontic extraction treatment, presenting clinically complex cases that demand advanced solutions. Lingual orthodontics emerges as superior to conventional aligners through its precision-driven approach, particularly effective for managing anatomically challenging malocclusions. Under Professor Xu Baohua’s persistent commitment, China’s lingual orthodontics sector has witnessed accelerated technological evolution, solidifying the nation’s position as an international frontrunner in this precision-oriented discipline.
Beijing is poised to host its inaugural WSLO World Congress in 2027, marking a historic milestone. Dr. Xu Baohua emphasized the congress’s strategic significance: “This premier event will comprehensively demonstrate China's advancements in lingual orthodontics while establishing a vital platform for cross-border clinical innovation.” He called on global specialists to pursue collaborative progress through shared expertise, advocating for unified efforts to elevate technical standards worldwide and deliver optimized therapeutic outcomes for patients across all demographics.
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Company Name: Oral Medicine Department at the China-Japan Friendship Hospital
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Country: China
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